Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital

Thanks to Dry July, Calvary Mater Newcastle’s Ward 4B (Surgical) is now the proud owner of three Vacuum Assisted Closure (VAC) machines.

Cheryl Cooley, Nursing Unit Manager Ward 4B (Surgical) says, “Thank you to the Dry Julyers for supporting us in the purchase this equipment. These machines provide a non-invasive approach to negative pressure wound healing - they promote healing in a contained system that allows free movement for patients. This means that patients who have undergone surgery for cancer, for example removal of melanoma, can have this therapy applied directly after surgery to enhance wound healing and reduce their length of stay in hospital. Cancer patients are then able to be discharged home with community nurse support rather than have extensive stays in hospital.”

The Nutrition and Dietetics Service at Calvary Mater Newcastle supports the care of patients requiring short or long term enteral feeding at home - many of these patients are being treated for head and neck or oesophageal cancer.

A key feature of the Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) Service is loaning equipment to patients, like IV poles, to help better facilitate safe feeding at home. Maintaining enough supplies to ensure timely provision of this service is important and thanks to Dry July, 10 IV Poles have now been purchased.

Andrew Court, Nutrition and Dietetics Manager, Calvary Mater Newcastle, says, “We are so grateful to have been able to add these new IV Poles to our HEN Service, it makes such a big difference to our patients.”

Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital is planning to use money raised through Dry July 2016 towards:

- 3 VAC machines. 

- IV poles. 

- A MOTOmed movement trainer which moves a patient’s legs or arms gently either passively, motor-assisted or active resistive training. The movements are smoothly controlled, similar to bicycling. Cancer patients deconditioned following illness related to their treatment or as a consequence of a severe illness during treatment such as sepsis will be able to start their recovery using this device.

As the region’s only public oncology hospital, Calvary Mater Newcastle diagnoses and treats thousands of patients every year, many of whom travel a great distance to receive their treatment.

From Monday to Friday, the Day Treatment Centre is a hive of activity as on average 40 patients per day are administered chemotherapy.

For anyone who has undergone cancer treatments, or has been close to someone who has, you will appreciate how gruelling the experience can be.

Kelly Randall, Day Treatment Centre Nursing Unit Manager, says, “Thanks to Dry July supporters, Calvary Mater Newcastle was able to purchase 10 iPads to help entertain patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. The iPads help alleviate our patient’s boredom and helps to refocus their attention while undergoing treatment. The iPads are extremely popular and bring comfort to our patients when they need it most.”

The Day Treatment Centre’s Patient Waiting Room and Education Room also underwent a makeover to make it more homely and comfortable for patients and their family members. Gone is the room’s previously sterile walls and clinical feel and in its place is a bright, welcoming, comfortable environment.

The Education Room, used by nurses to consult with patients, has also benefitted from a makeover. It now provides a comfortable and practical environment for these conversations to take place.

Kelly says, “The refurbishment of this room is a fantastic addition to our department. We now have comfortable furniture and great storage, all with that homely feel.

“We want our patients to feel as comfortable as possible and with these refurbishments; we are able to provide that environment. Thank you Dry Julyers.”

“Humidification is proven to reduce the incidence of mucositis in patients receiving radiotherapy for head and neck cancers.  

“Last year the Radiation Oncology Department was fortunate to receive funds from Dry July to purchase two humidifiers for our patients to use at home. 

“We now have five humidifiers which are usually lent out to our patients for periods of approximately three months. It is fantastic to be able to provide this equipment for our patients comfort and care. Thank you.”

Ashley Powell, Nurse Unit Manager, Radiation Oncology